Sinn Fein Councillor Christy Burke has welcomed the announcement of a £4.5 million pounds investment in the new Community College for Sean Mc Dermott Street. He described the investment as ``a helping hand to a community that has suffered so much.'' The College is due to be completed in 1999 and will cater for 600 students. The announcement co-incides with the North East rejuvenation plan for the city.

Councillor Burke said:

``Tonights announcement of a £4.5 million investment in the Sean Mac Dermott Street Community College will be welcomed as a much needed helping hand to the people of this community who have suffered so much from deprivation, poverty, unemployment and in the last decade the scourge of drugs.

``The location of the College and this financial investment is a public commitment to this area. I look forward to seeing young people in this area fully utilising the Community College.''ENDS